Just short of 11 years

Almost 11 years ago, Preston and I drove the Explorer pulling a small Uhaul trailer full of wedding gifts and hand-me-down furniture to the Bee Hive State. We were newly married (a little over a week) and fresh off our honeymoon in Key West. We were ready to utilize our sparkling Marketing degrees from Kansas State and tackle the working, married world. In one word, we were YOUNG. We took a huge leap and flew from the nest, just the two of us.
It's been a hell of a ride Salt Lake City. We have seen friends and family come and go, welcomed 2 beautiful children into the world, lived at 4 addresses, explored much of this state on numerous vacations and built friendships that we'll never forget.
We are so excited for this new adventure and thrilled to be closer to family and friends, but Salt Lake City was where we became a family and a little less young.
Look out Denver because the Barton 4 are coming and you may never be the same!

Yeah, so?

Vocabulary Explosion!

These days Quinn is saying new words every minute and she has become quite the little parrot - able to repeat most of what we say with great excitement! A couple of mornings ago Quinn and I arose early to a beautiful morning. She went right to the sliding door to the deck and said, "See birdies." So, without delay we head out to the deck with our breakfast. Connor soon joined us and we enjoyed the morning light and the birdies. The steaming cup of coffee in my hand was the icing on the cake.

More than neighbors

Across the street and 3 houses down live an amazing family. We have become dear friends and so have our children. Their backyard is the perfect spot to enjoy beers and burgers while the kids play and play and play.
The Demeos have 3 children and they have completely taken our 2 in as part of the pack. We were there on Sunday enjoying a chill night with delicious food and even better conversation. Tracy captured the kids enjoying their dinner (amongst countless "poop" jokes between Joey and Connor, endless laughter and a bit of wrestling).
There aren't words for how much we will miss living up the street from this family. Quinn says it well when she says, "My Tessa."

Friday Night Performance

Connor's Montessori Schools puts on an annual Spring Performance and Art Show. Last year Connor was shy about his on-stage skills and stayed to the back...not so this year. He was proud to be a sheep, telling me mid-week, "I was going to be a frog, but now I'm a sheep."
I am amazed and incredibly appreciative of the talent that all of Connor's teachers display. His Art and Dance teachers did an especially wonderful job putting all of the evening together.
Quinn was excited to watch Connor perform and yelled, "Nonner" from the back nothing short of 50 times. That was only until she realized Preston was close to the stage taking pictures, at which time she began yelling, "Dada! Dada!"
After the performance we joined some other classmates and their families for gelato. It was a delicious ending to a wonderful Friday night.
Knowing Connor's personality, I take great relief in the fact that it is the first and LAST time that Connor will be a "sheep".

Happy Easter!

At Connor's urging we participating in some traditional Easter activities. On Saturday we dyed eggs and on Sunday the kids woke up to Easter baskets full of goodies. Once the sun broke on Sunday we hit the yard for some Easter egg hunting. It was a nice day and it felt wonderful to spend some time outside.
The weather forecast shows record lows on Wednesday and snow in the valley. I laughed out loud. We'll be in California where the weather forecast is full sun and 78 degrees. So, go for it Utah - snow all you want.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I apologize

I apologize to the 5 people that actually read this blog that I have been MIA lately. Not sure we've really been any busier than usual, and it's not that we're so boring that there is nothing to post (I could only hope), so I'm not exactly sure why I haven't posted in a while. Hmmm, let me think on that while I fill you in on the latest.
In exactly one week we are headed off to California for a Spring Break vaca with the kiddos. We plan to spend a lot of time hanging with our friends in Huntington Beach, heading down to San Diego for a day at Legoland and a day at Sea World, and we'll top it all off with a soccer game on Saturday night - Go Chivas! Connor is over the moon about the trip and Quinn is blissfully ignorant about how her world will be turned upside down during those 5 days. Not me, I am every bit aware of how much fun (and possibly misery) we will experience.
Yesterday Connor's school had a fun run to raise money for the Navajo Grandmothers and the child in Ethiopia that his class sponsors. He was proud to announce that he ran 15 laps! Pretty impressive I must say. (See photo of class above.)
Last week I spent some time at Connor's school for the Spring Party. I've never felt more like a celebrity - the kids are amazing and Connor was so proud to have me there. I read an Easter story to the kids, danced in a circle and helped them get their potluck lunch served. I loved every minute of that small window to their world and I see why Connor is so tired at night!
(Pictures posted of the celebration above.)
AND, last weekend we hosted Big Wave Dave and Runaround Sue and had a ball. It was a really wonderful visit and we so appreciated every one of their "sponsored lunches and dinners", their entertaining of the kiddos and all of our visiting time. It was great to have them as always.
So to the 5 of you, I apologize for dropping off the map (or bloggersphere) but now that I recap my doings I've been busy damn it!